Ok, so everyone has ideas on leadership. I try to stay away from this as much as possible for a couple of reasons: it’s way easier to talk about leadership than do it…I’d much rather lead by example…and, there’s already tons of great stuff out there and I don’t know if I have anything of value to really add. This being said, I think I have something to add, so here goes.

Were opening a new campus,and the “rookie” campus pastor has opened more churches than I have chins. As we get started, and do ministry together, I talked to him about the following:

 

I am a firm believer in thinking Kingdom before everything else. Including leadership and leading others.

What does this mean?

Org chart hierarchy isn’t that important for me. Responsibility and authority and accountability are important. By important, I mean they are real, not illusionary. We each have responsibility in a particular area and we have authority. We are also accountable to another’s authority.

This is a focus for me: Since I’m not looking to build my own kingdom, I don’t feel like it’s possible for my leadership/ministry/influence to be undermined by the person I report to (the authority over me). What does this mean? if we disagree, then you’re free to go “over my head.” I know that’s contrary to conventional wisdom. It may be frustrating, but if my pain lasts, it’s only because I’m trying to build my kingdom. But if I’ve been entrusted with something, when the person who’s trusted me makes a change, I hold my efforts with a loose hand. I trust the people that work for me, and I trust the person I work for.

Ideally, we ought to work for and with people we trust. I am absolutely convinced that it is my responsibility to earn the trust of the people who report to me. I don’t assume that I deserve it just by merit of position. Their trust is mine to earn, and to lose.

It is necessary that we serve with pure hearts. Effectiveness is not enough. Not by a long shot. I’m not perfect, the impurity in my heart leads poor choices. The people on my team are free to nudge me if needed… Sometimes I hurt people and I’m not aware of it. I need others to point out my blind spots, my weaknesses.

It’ boils down to this: if we disagree, you can tell my boss. If you see something in me you think is wrong, please call me out.